Aptera Reboot - Improved

[oil pan 4]

Scam trikes problem was they wanted to make every single little part in house, except for maybe the tires.

This reboot of the Aptera they just want hub motors that don't appear to exist.

[sheepdog 44]

they expected larger, well-capitalized automakers to step in and pursue greater efficiencies in every aspect of EV design. “What astonishes me,” Anthony said, “is that none of them have yet taken up the challenge: How efficient can a car be?”

The best attempt might have been the BMW i3, the Bavarian maker’s 2013 compact electric hatchback. With a body shell made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic, an aluminum rolling platform, an optional two-cylinder range-extending engine, and 112 to 129 km (70 to 80 miles) of range, the i3 ruled the energy-efficiency charts for a few years.

Was anyone else thrown for a loop in the first article reading this? Really, the BMW i3, king of energy efficiency?

[freebeard]

Depending on how you slice it, I'd say i3, Honda Insight or VW XL1.

It's good to see Aptera and Edison2 are still around, but that new Aptera could use a 6-8" drop in the front.

[RustyLugNut]

The inclusion of automotive "Experts" into the management team meant the vehicle would be hammered into a market hole it had little chance to fit into.

If they are smart, they could market the Aptera as a unique, bespoke vehicle to a limited, upscale market.

It's construction simplicity could also lend itself to a "kit".

The Aptera was started in my neck of the woods and I followed it's development with interest. It is an extreme design that is ideal for an electric commuter vehicle. It leaves room to degrade efficiency and gain in areas of performance and handling if people so desire. The inclusion of hub motors is an idea that may not have been practical a decade ago but is certainly feasible today even if you start out with much lower powered, off the shelf units.

[NeilBlanchard]

John Voelcker article on GCR:

1,000 Mile Electric Car Unveiled: Aptera Returns 10 Years Later

[NeilBlanchard]

This is the in-wheel motor that Aptera is working with:

https://in-wheel.com/

It includes a disk brake; and weighs 23kg.

[freebeard]

Originally Posted by RustyLugNut

The Aptera was started in my neck of the woods and I followed it's development with interest. It is an extreme design that is ideal for an electric commuter vehicle.

Similarly the Arcimoto FUV is local to me. Both have a similar architecture, with the FUV oriented to urban use (ingress/egress) and the Aptera as a road-tripper (range).

[oil pan 4]

An 1,800lb vehicle with at least 300lb of that as dead unsprung weight. This is going to get interesting.
For the first time in history a vehicle sales line and disclaimer will be one in the same, stating something to the effect of "go wherever the road takes you" literally.
I think Ralph Nader wrote a book about this vehicle over 40 years ago.

[NeilBlanchard]

23kg x 3 = ~152.1 pounds including the brakes, which would be there anyway.

[niky]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

23kg x 3 = ~152.1 pounds including the brakes, which would be there anyway.

Last time I weighed wheels and tires, it was at 35-40 pounds per corner without the brakes... so yes, quite likely.